Freshman '12

[Deleted]

Even though I will be a sophomore, I figured to create a thread for you rising freshmen so that we (ie rising sophomores/juniors/seniors) can help you not have a totally suck freshman year.

My general rules for being a freshmen are these (they may change when I am no longer technically a freshman):
*The less you talk, the better. You can participate in discussions, but don't run your mouth too much.
*Bullying, happens. Follow these rules and keep your head down and it may not happen to you as much.
*Never tell an older student, especially not a sophomore, that they "were a freshman once", and never swear not to bully freshmen when you're older, because you will
*When dealing with upperclassmen, picture yourself dealing with a sixth grader; how would you want them to act? Adapt that model to yourself
*Never assume that you're good enough friends with a senior that you are beyond being annoying
*Be very careful about doing things that you aren't supposed to because you're a freshman. For example, sitting in an area designated for seniors is a great way to instigate a "crackdown" on all freshmen in your school. When in doubt, don't do it.
*If you're told to move, do it, don't argue.
*When dealing with sophomores, picture (honestly) how you would deal with an eighth grader
*When sophomores are complaining about your class, don't try to pretend you aren't one.
*Don't refer to yourself as someone's freshman. That's their choice, not yours.
*Don't shove middle schoolers around in front of upperclassmen.
*Participate in your class chants. If you don't do it now, what right do you have as a senior?
*Remember, the biggest compliment you will ever be paid is to be mistaken for a sophomore (has happened to me), and "good kid" is almost that good. Don't expect anything more.
*When in doubt, stick with your band friends. Chances are, they will be the most friendly people you will deal with, with exceptions.

If any rising upperclassmen or even sophomores disagree, tell me.

EDIT: The TFBC class of 2012 thus far
*cougarbeth (I assume)

[moe]

^ Agreed to a lot of those. Some people (especially the jerky jocks, not necessarily just football players) are awful behind the teachers' backs. =\ The only thing I have to say though, is to the second to last bullet. That carries through high school. I was so ecstatic at the beginning of this year when seniors thought I was a senior as well (I'm a junior). I don't really know why that made me so happy, but just know it isn't just applied to the freshmen, its every grade =]

And a few more things for ya:
- I have never met anyone who seriously calls the freshmen "frosh" or "fish". Don't do it, kinda makes ya look stupid.
- Having a new boy/girlfriend every other week not only makes you and them look bad, but people remember it too. (Can be applied to all grades -.-)
- Don't hit on the senior guys or girls. It will turn around to bite ya in bootie. =] haha.

[Deleted]

^Uh-oh. I've been hitting on senior girls all year. Most of them don't seem to care, though, and they all graduate in a few weeks anywasy

[moe]

^ haha well thats lucky for you then. =] Some people can get away with it...others...fall on their face. =\

[Deleted]

^They don't mind me so much. those are the same ones who swore I was a sophomore.

[brassgirl1023]

Apr 23, 2008 21:08:06 GMT -5 @oscarisamazing said:

^Uh-oh. I've been hitting on senior girls all year. Most of them don't seem to care, though, and they all graduate in a few weeks anywasy

hitting on?
i've dated 3 seniors this year, and it was fine.
Doesnt matter if you're a freshman, what matters is if you're a good person.

[Deleted]

It's different for girls, and for each person.

Let's hear from our upcoming freshmen...

[friedrice2003]

wow....we're already up to 2012.....

I feel old now

GO CLASS OF '06!

[altoclarinets]

Well, you're being a little bit exaggerated- I mean, a lot of the stuff that older students do to seniors is really wrong (for example: at our school it is a common practice for uc's to steal/ hide locks and leave freshmen's stuff unprotected.) I don't argue that seniors should get more responsibility and privileges if the act mature about it, but on the other hand sophmores should not be total butts toward freshmen just because no one acts like that towards them anymore.
And, by the way, I am a freshman who is often mistaken for a junior or senior that transferred.

[Scott Benson II]

How about we all act maturely and respectfully? It never made much sense to me to judge people by their age; usually character is a better standard. Alas.

You're going to be a freshman? As far as I'm concerned, don't take any bullying from anybody, and don't bully freshme when you're older. People who pick on others only show their own weaknesses. Stand up to the people who disrespect you, and you will not be looked down upon.

[Deleted]

Agreed, Scott, but everyone's definition of bullying varies: the kid giving the noogie is going to have a different view than the kid receiving it. Freshmen have been known (however fairly, IDK) to freak out when seniors or juniors ask for their help or ask them to move seats--I wouldn't call that bullying. Then again, I'm still in the system, so I'm looking out from inside.

Best case scenarios are good to shoot for, but I'm trying to be a realist, and I'm also trying (key word there) to prepare our upcoming freshmen for the worst. As they say: "hope for the best, prepare for the worst." The freshman I have seen receive the worst bullying have been the ones who have tried not to, as you say, take bullying from anyone. I'm all for standing up for yourself, but sometimes it's better to just wait for the door to open rather than yelling at the people on the other side.

[altoclarinets]

Asking for help with setup/ teardown is definitely not bullying. But "hazing" and "initiations"- those are- example, there was this on person on the "things done to instruments behind your back" thread, I believe, who knew someone who as a fish intiation for college was forced to march into a wall blindfolded at horns up. No. Not cool. (This is kind of a sore spot for me because, due to no other reasons than the fact that 1. I play alto clarinet, 2. I am GOOD at it, and 3. I like band, many upperclassmen have decided it is their duty to vandalise my locker- throwing candy/ soda in it, taking off the door, breaking the clip that holds the lock off- so I'm not very tolerant of those who think that bullying/ hazing/ whateveryouwannacalliting the freshmen is ok- it's not and it can cause a lot of stress and emotional damage. (Not to mention having the potential to ruin someone's love for band.) There is, as I said before, a difference betwwen seniority- older kids getting privileges WITH responsibility to lead younger ones down the right road- and hazing- older kids setting a bad example for freshmen by taking advantage of them and forcing them to do things they should not be forced to do. My advice is, if someone is bullying you, don't hesitate to tell your director, your parents and even the principal, if the first two won't help. No one should have to go through the amount of suffering that some of this crap can cause.

[Deleted]

There's a bit of a misunderstanding it seems about my mention of bullying. What I meant is that small stuff will be said, and that it's easier to just deal with it (ie "stupid freshman" as someone walks by). Stuff written on lockers, threats, or damage to property should never be tolerated.

[sousalover]

- if you hear information and it isn't from the horses mouth do no spread it it will be tempting but don't do it because if we find out you spread stuff we wont tell you
- respect your leaders don't think becuase your band is "amazing" that its because of you. its your upperclassmens work too and trust me they are busting their butts 200x more then you are and your leaders don't have butts they've busted them so much. respect them listen when spoken to and don't talk back.
-seniors have the right to do what ever they want. they can't harm you but if they want your seat? move over they want a fry you shall share. they've worked for it and had to go through it when they were freshman you want to have that right when your older so earn it
-do no try and be a section leader after you've learned a couple moves. trust me you don't know it all and someone will make you look like an idoit. if you see something wrong mention it to a leader and if they see the same thing they'll know how to fix it.

[Deleted]

^As for the want a fry thing, don't try to let just one steal your food. I made that mistake and ended up having to cuss out an entire table full of people to get them to stop eating my food so I could. You let one, you let them all.

Also, don't say "band" every third word, or start trying to form "band this" or "band that" (ie band table, band group) because you will end up pissing people, both in and out, off.